Bed Bugs - Questions and Answers
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Bed Bugs - Questions and Answers
What are bed bugs?
Bed bugs are found all over the world and the number of reported cases in Canada has
been increasing rapidly over the past decade. Bed bugs are reddish brown insects that
have oval-shaped bodies with no wings. Prior to feeding, adults are about 5 mm (1/4
inch) long, or about the size of an apple seed, and flat as paper. After feeding, they turn
dark red and become bloated. They can live for several months without feeding.
Immature bed bugs are smaller, whiter, and harder to spot. Eggs are whitish, pear-
shaped and about the size of a pinhead. Cluster of 10-50 eggs can be found in cracks
and crevices. Bed bugs have a one-year life span during which time a female can lay
200-400 eggs. Eggs hatch in about 10 days.
Actual size: approx. 3mm x 5mm
What do bed bugs feed on?
Bed bugs feed on the blood of animals or birds, but they prefer to bite and feed on
humans. They usually hide during the day and come out at night to feed.
Can I get sick from bed bugs?
Bed bugs are not known to spread any human disease. Some people don’t feel the
bites, but others will experience itching and red welts. Scratching can lead to secondary
infection.
What do bed bug bites look like?
When bed bugs bite they inject their saliva into the biting area, causing the skin to
become irritated and inflamed, although some people don’t react to being bitten and
won’t have red itchy bites on their body. The bites may go unnoticed, or be mistaken for
flea or mosquito bites or other skin conditions. Bed bug bites can occur on any part of
the body, but are found more commonly over exposed areas of the body, including the
face, neck, hands, arms, and lower legs.
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How do I treat bed bug bites?
Most bed bug bites go away by themselves and don’t need treatment. Keep the skin
clean and try not to scratch. If the bites are very itchy, your doctor may prescribe cream
or antihistamines to relieve the itchiness. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed for any
secondary skin infection that has resulted from excessive scratching.
Do I have bed bugs?
Bed bugs are hard to find! They are very small and usually only come out at night to
feed.
Signs of bed bugs include:
• Itchy red bumps on your body
• Black dots (bed bug poop) on your sheets, blanket, pillow cases and mattress
• Blood stains on sheets, backrest, pillow cases
• Dried remains of shed bed bug skin on your bedding
• Dead bugs in your bed or bedroom
Check for live bed bugs or shells in the following areas:
• Seams, creases, and folds of mattresses and box springs
• Cracks in the bed frame and head board
• Under chairs, couches, beds, dust covers
• Between the cushions of couches and chairs
• Under area rugs and the edges of carpets
• Between the folds of curtains
• In drawers
• Behind baseboards, and around window and door casings
• Behind electrical plates and under loose wallpaper, paintings and posters
• In cracks in plaster
• In telephones, radios, and clocks
• Bed bugs can also travel from apartment to apartment along pipes, electrical
wiring and other openings. If the infestation is heavy, a sweet smell may be
noticed in the room.
How does a home become infested with bed bugs?
In most cases, people carry bed bugs from an infested building or room into their homes
in luggage, furniture, bedding or clothing. Bed bugs may also travel between apartments
through small crevices and cracks in walls and floors.
Who can help?
An Environmental Health Officer (EHO) can provide information about bed bug
identification and what is needed to treat the infestation and prevent it from coming
back. EHOs are also available to present educational seminars on bed bugs. If
necessary, the EHO will conduct a site visit (determined on a case by case basis).
The EHO may contact building management and pest control professionals to ensure
proper treatment. If it becomes necessary, the EHO may issue an Order under the
Public Health Act to ensure necessary steps are taken to control bed bugs. You can3
also check the Yellow Pages of your phone book under Pest Control - Exterminating &
Fumigating.
What can I do if I have bed bugs in my home?
The best method to deal with bed bugs combines a variety of methods and products
that pose the least risk to human health and the environment:
• Clean up clutter to help reduce the number of places bed bugs can hide.
• Vacuum carpets, floors, bed frames, furniture, cracks and crevices daily, using
the nozzle attachment. Empty the vacuum and seal and dispose of its bag.
• Seal cracks and crevices between baseboards and on wood bed frames, floors
and walls with caulking. Repair or remove peeling wallpaper, tighten loose light
switch covers, and seal any openings where pipes, wires or other utilities come
into your home. Pay special attention to walls that are shared between
apartments.
• Cover mattress, box spring, and pillows in a cover that is labelled allergen rated,
for dust mites or for bed bugs for at least a full year.
• Sticky glue paper can be used to monitor for bedbugs. Place these around walls
and bed legs, and wherever bedbug activity is suspected. Carpet tape (double-
sided sticky tape) can also be used.
• Prevent bedbugs from moving onto furniture by coating the legs of the furniture
with petroleum jelly, or by wrapping the legs with double sided tape.
• Heat will kill all life stages of bed bugs, including eggs. The temperature
must reach 49 C (120F) or hotter to kill bed bugs.
o Wash sheets, bedding and clothes in hot wash water and dry in a clothes
dryer set on high heat. The dryer can also be used for stuffed toys, shoes,
other personal items that can’t be washed.
o Steam from home use steamers will kill bed bugs if the steam that comes
in contact with the bed bugs is hot enough. Be careful not to blow the bed
bugs away with the steam. Use a steam cleaner for cracks, crevices and
mattresses.
o Hair dryers set to high can be also be used to kill bed bugs. As with
steam cleaners, be careful not to blow the bed bugs away.
• Freezing at minus 30 C (-22 F) for four days will kill all life stages of bed
bugs.
o Freezing bedding, clothing, mattresses, furniture and other household
items outside when the temperature is at minus 30 C (-22 F) or colder for
four days will kill all the bed bugs and eggs.
o Household freezers are not cold enough to kill all the bed bugs in or on
household items.
o This freezing method can only be used if the outside temperature is
consistently below -30 C for four days, or an industrial freezer set at minus
30 C or colder is used.
• Diatomaceous earth is a dust made of the skeletons of microorganisms called
diatoms. It kills bed bugs by sticking to the outside of their bodies and4
absorbing the wax layer that keeps them from losing their body moisture. The
bed bugs dry up and die within a couple of days
Note: An EHO can also give you more detailed information on non-chemical methods of
killing and controlling bed bugs
Should I use a pesticide?
Be very cautious about using pesticides yourself. Domestic class products available to
homeowners will generally contain the active ingredient pyrethrin. Pesticides can be
hazardous to people and pets. If you choose to use a pesticide, consult with an EHO or
licensed Professional Pest Control Service for more information. Use the least toxic
product available and follow these precautions:
• Only use pesticides clearly labelled to kill bed bugs. Never use a cockroach
spray, ant spray, or any other pesticide that does not list bed bugs on the label.
• Follow label instructions exactly.
• Never spray pesticides on top of mattresses or sofas, or in areas where children
or pets are present.
• Never purchase or use a product without a manufacturer’s label.
• Do not use “insecticide bombs” and “foggers” in your home. These products can
spread hazardous chemicals throughout your home, and are not effective against
bed bugs.
• Some bed bugs can be resistant to pesticides.
How do I prevent bed bugs from entering my home?
Even the cleanest homes and hotels can have bed bugs so regular house cleaning,
including vacuuming your mattress, can help to prevent an infestation. Clean up clutter
to help reduce the number of places bed bugs can hide. Be careful when buying used
furniture or clothes. Make sure to inspect them for bed bugs before bringing them into
your home and feel free to ask the retailer if the items were checked for bed bugs.
When you are travelling:
• Inspect the room and furniture: inspect all cracks and crevices of the mattress
and box spring, and look for blood spots or live insects. Request a different room
if you find evidence of beg bugs.
• Protect your luggage: keep all belongings in your luggage and wrap your
luggage in plastic to help prevent bed bugs from entering your luggage. Keep
luggage on the shelf or away from the floor.
• Protect the bed: move the bed away from the wall, tuck in all bed sheets and
keep blankets from touching the floor.
• Upon returning home: keep your luggage in an isolated area of your home,
such as the garage. Inspect the luggage. Wash all your clothes in the hottest
water possible and put them in a hot dryer for 20 minutes.5
Who to Contact?
Environmental Health Unit
Population Health Division
Health & Social Services
Government of Northwest Territories
Box 1320, #102-5204, 50th Avenue
Yellowknife NT, X1A 2L9
Telephone:
Yellowknife (867) 669-8979
Inuvik (867) 777-7250 / 777-7220
Hay River (867) 874-7261
Fax: (867) 669-7517
Email: environmental_health@gov.nt.caYou can also read
